Sophie Devine in action© AFP

India will be hoping to resolve their batting brittleness in their quest to win the third and final women’s ODI and seal the series against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. It was clear from the first match, which the hosts won by 59 runs through a fine effort by the bowlers, that India’s batting is not in top shape, and the second one-dayer underscored that reality. India’s batting went a notch down on Friday as they were bundled out for 183 while chasing 260.

It was a tough target indeed, but not improbable in nature as Indian batters succumbed to spot-on White Ferns bowlers and to their own indiscretions.

It required a record ninth-wicket stand of 70 runs between Radha Yadav and Saima Thakor to add a touch of respectability to India’s run chase.

Even the overall picture is not a rosy one, as Indian batters are yet to score an individual fifty across two matches.

Radha’s 48 in the second ODI is the highest individual score from India’s side during this series, and the home team will require a drastic turnaround in the final match.

For that, India’s power troika upfront — openers Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur — will have to fire in unison.

It can have a ripple effect in a strong-on-paper middle-order consisting of Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Tejal Hasabnis.

Mandhana’s form continues to be a bit of concern as she hardly looked a pale shadow of her customary gracefully dominant batter.

She is yet to reach two-figure score against New Zealand, and a series decider could be a perfect occasion for her to rewrite the script.

On the other hand, Indian bowlers continued their good effort despite conceding 259 in the previous match.

At one stage, the visitors were 87 for no loss in 14 overs and 139 for 3 in 30 overs, but the Indian bowlers did well to rein them back and limit to a total less than 280-290 that at one stage looked achievable.

The left-arm spinner Radha has once again been impressive with a four-wicket haul to go with the three wickets she plucked in the first game.

She will need to be at her best once more to keep the free-flowing New Zealand batters in check.

New Zealand have also been bolstered by the presence of veteran pacer Lea Tahuhu who replaced injured Moly Penfold in the eleven and immediately impressed with a three-wicket haul.

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Thakur Singh, Radha Yadav, Meghna Singh, Devika Vaidya, Amanjot Kaur, Anjali Sarvani, Taniyaa Bhatia, Yastika Bhatia.

New Zealand: Sophie Devine (C), Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Lauren Down, Brooke Halliday, Katey Martin (WK), Hayley Jensen, Jess Kerr, Fran Jonas, Hannah Rowe, Molly Penfold, Lea Tahuhu, Izzy Gaze, Georgia Plimmer.

India’s batting frailties were once again exposed as New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine’s all-round heroics propelled her side to a series-levelling 76-run win in the second women’s ODI on Sunday. Opting to bat, Devine struck 79 off 86 balls, hitting seven fours and a six while stitching a vital partnership of 82 runs for the fifth wicket with Maddy Green (42 off 41 balls) to lift New Zealand to a challenging 259 for nine. Devine also excelled with the ball, finishing with figures of 3/27 as New Zealand’s bowlers combined to dismiss India for 183 runs, built around No. 9 Radha Yadav’s fighting 48. For the White Ferns, Lea Tahuhu (3/42) also claimed three wickets, while Jess Kerr (2/49) and Eden Carson (2/32) chipped in with key dismissals.

Chasing the 260-run target, India found themselves at 26 for 3 within the first five overs. They further slipped to 102 for 7 in 26 over before Radha and Saima Thakor (29) forged a spirited 70-run stand for the ninth wicket to keep alive India’s slim hopes.

However, Kerr broke the partnership, removing Thakor as the hosts were eventually dismissed in 47.1 overs, allowing New Zealand to level the series 1-1.

Smriti Mandhana’s struggles continued as she lasted just two balls, dismissed by Tahuhu, while fellow opener Shafali Verma (11) managed two boundaries before being adjudged LBW by Kerr.

Yastika Bhatia (12) also fell early, becoming Tahuhu’s second victim as India’s top order faltered.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, returning after missing the first ODI due to a minor injury, contributed 24 runs, as she partnered with Jemimah Rodrigues (17) to add 38 runs before both were dismissed.

Tejal Hasabnis (15) and Deepti Sharma (15) also failed to build on their starts, leaving India struggling at 102 for 7 in 26 over.

Earlier, New Zealand were off to an excellent start with openers Suzie Bates (58 off 70 balls) and Georgia Plimmer (41 off 50) adding 87 runs in just under 16 overs.

India fought back by snaring three wickets in quick succession, and then, Radha Yadav pulled off an incredible catch after running backwards to give leg-spinner Priya Mishra her maiden international wicket.

Yadav was involved in three of the first four New Zealand wickets as the visitors seemed to have lost the plot when Brooke Halliday was walking back to the dressing room after Yadav’s pyrotechnics.

But then, Devine had other other plans as she found an able ally in Green and the two helped their side regain control of the proceedings.

Maddy struck five fours to prop up the visiting side that lost the first game of the three-match series.

With four wickets, left-arm spinner Yadav was the most successful bower for India but gave away 69 runs in her 10 overs, while off-spinner Deepti Sharma ended with 2/30.

The Indian women’s cricket team defeated recently-crowned Women’s T20 World Cup champions New Zealand by 59 runs. One of the standout highlights during India’s bowling effort was a clever run-out inflicted after some brilliant presence of mind by India spinner Deepti Sharma. As New Zealand captain Sophie Devine stepped out to block a delivery by Deepti, the bowler noticed a chance. With Devine still out of her crease and not attentive of the situation, Deepti threw the ball back to wicket-keeper Yastika Bhatia who dislodged the bails before Devine could return to her crease.

Devine even swayed out of the way to avoid Deepti’s throw back to Yastika. However, moments later Devine realized her mistake, as Yastika removed the bails and India went up appealing.

Watch: Sophie Devine outfoxed by Deepti Sharma

Sharp presence of mind produces a big wicket!

New Zealand lose their third in the chase as Sophie Devine is run-out.

Live – https://t.co/VGGT7lSS13#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/gvANXADVkA

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 24, 2024

A check by the third umpire confirmed that Devine was out of her ground, and brought an unceremonious end to the New Zealand skipper’s innings. Devine was out for just two runs off five balls.

India vs New Zealand, 1st Women’s ODI: As it happened

Batting first, India were bowled out for 227 in 44.3 overs. There were handy contributions throughout the order, as five batters crossed 30, but no one managed to get to a half-century. 27-year-old Tejal Hasabnis, making her international debut for India, top-scored with 42. Deepti Sharma was the other batter to go past 40, scoring 41.

In the run chase, New Zealand failed to get going, failing to stitch even a single 50-run partnership. They were bowled out in just 40.4 overs by India, for a total of 168.

Radha Yadav led the wickets column for India with three. 28-year-old seamer Saima Thakor, also making her India debut, chipped in with two wickets. Deepti Sharma added one wicket alongside her brilliant run out.

Having lost to New Zealand in the group stage of the Women’s T20 World Cup, India will be hoping to seal a series win in the three-match ODI series.

India Women vs New Zealand Women Live Streaming 1st ODI: Where To Watch© X (Twitter)

South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women LIVE Telecast: South Africa are all set to face New Zealand in the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday in Dubai. New Zealand’s women’s team had won the ODI World Cup back in 2000 but none of the current squad members were part of that historic title triumph. Before this event began, New Zealand were in the trenches having lost 10 matches on the trot in the format but under Devine this bunch, comprising of the venerable Suzie Bates and the assuring Amelia Kerr, has done wonders, bringing the side in contention for the ultimate prize.

South Africa on the other side will be equally determined to complete the unfinished business as they had lost the 2023 World Cup final to Australia at home. They have an opportunity to erase painful memories as they had lost by a mere 19 runs in the close contest.

When will the South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match take place?

The South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match will take place on October 20 (IST).

Where will the South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match be held?

The South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.

What time will the South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match start?

The South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match will start at 7:30 PM IST (7 PM toss).

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match?

The South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match will be live telecast on the Star Sports Network.

Where to follow live streaming of the South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup final match?

The South Africa vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup 2nd semi-final match will be live streamed on the Disney+ Hotstar website and app.

(All details are as per information shared by the broadcaster)

New Zealand’s golden generation, led by the inspirational Sophie Devine, will have one last chance to lay hands on a global ICC trophy when it meets a gritty South Africa in the summit clash of the T20 World Cup which is set to throw a new champion, here Sunday. New Zealand’s women’s team had won the ODI World Cup back in 2000 but none of the current squad members were part of that historic title triumph. Before this event began, New Zealand were in the trenches having lost 10 matches on the trot in the format but under Devine this bunch, comprising of the venerable Suzie Bates and the assuring Amelia Kerr, has done wonders, bringing the side in contention for the ultimate prize.

It is most probably the last time the Black Shirts will have Devine, Bates and Lea Tahuhu playing of the national side in a global tournament.

Devine, 35, has more than 7000 runs under her belt in white-ball formats while the 37-year-old Bates has more than 10,000 runs to her name.

Pacer Tahuhu, 34, has 112 wickets in ODIs and 93 in T20Is.

They won’t leave any stone unturned to ensure that they have a World Cup trophy in their cabinet.

South Africa on the other side will be equally determined to complete the unfinished business as they had lost the 2023 World Cup final to Australia at home. They have an opportunity to erase painful memories as they had lost by a mere 19 runs in the close contest.

New Zealand have one or other player to rise the occasion in the tournament and in the semifinal against the West Indies, if they failed to set a target big enough to daunt the free-flowing Caribbean batters, their bowlers responded with tidy spells throughout the game to eke out a memorable win.

Kerr’s wicket tally has swelled to 12 in the tournament as she found apt support from the other end in the likes of Eden Carson (8), Rosemary Mair (7) and the experienced Lea Tahuhu.

New Zealand announced their intentions with a big win against India first up and followed that up with consistent performances across departments.

A 60-run loss to Australia, arguably the strongest team in the competition, notwithstanding, the Kiwis weren’t unnerved as they went on to pip the West Indies in the final over of their low-scoring semifinal to make their third final.

When the tournament began towards the end of the first decade of this century, New Zealand appeared to be the team to beat as they made two consecutive finals but got pipped by England and Australia once each.

Bates and Devine, the survivors from those campaigns, will thus get a third crack in winning the first ICC trophy for New Zealand in white-ball cricket since 2000 when the men’s team won the Champions Trophy in Kenya.

But against them will be the formidable South Africa who scripted history of sorts to have stopped the all-dominating Australian team from reaching their eighth consecutive final in the last 15 years and seven editions of the T20 World Cup.

If New Zealand has Kerr topping the charts for most successful bowlers, South Africa have two of their top-order batters — Laura Wolvaardt (190 runs) and Tazmin Brits (170 runs) — lodged at the top of the batting charts in this tournament.

South Africa’s all-round might will pose the sternest challenge as the Proteas side is coming off a comprehensive eight-wicket thrashing of Australia, having restricted them to a mere 135/5 and knocked off the target with more than two overs to spare.

While a lot will depend on the pair of Wolvaardt and Brits at the top, SA will need the likes of Anneke Bosch and Marizanne Kapp to chip in with the bat too.

Similarly, Nonkululeko Mlaba (10 wickets) would also need the rest of the bowlers to replicate their performance from the semifinal, in which they collectively kept it tight to not allow Australia to get away with the bat.

Squads:

New Zealand: Sophie Devine (captain), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Isabella Gaze (wk), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder (wk), Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon.

Time: 7:30PM IST.

West Indies Women vs New Zealand Women LIVE Telecast: After record champions Australia bowed out of the tournament, all other semi-finalists would be fancying their chances at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 crown. New Zealand will be aiming for a first Women’s T20 World Cup final since the inaugural two editions. On the other hand, West Indies have never entered the final apart from the one time they won the crown in 2016. The Windies beat New Zealand en route to the title in that year, and would be pinning their hopes on a similar story. But New Zealand have beaten India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and won’t be pushovers.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: West Indies vs New Zealand, 2nd Semi Final LIVE Streaming, Check Where and How to Watch LIVE Telecast

When will the West Indies vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup 2nd semi-final match take place?

The West Indies vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup 2nd semi-final match will take place on October 18 (IST).

Where will the West Indies vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup 2nd semi-final match be held?

The West Indies vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup 2nd semi-final match will be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah.

What time will the West Indies vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup 2nd semi-final match start?

The West Indies vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup 2nd semi-final match will start at 7:30 PM IST (7 PM toss).

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the West Indies vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup 2nd semi-final match?

The West Indies vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup 2nd semi-final match will be live telecast on the Star Sports Network.

Where to follow live streaming of the West Indies vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup 2nd semi-final match?

The West Indies vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup 2nd semi-final match will be live streamed on the Disney+ Hotstar website and app.

(All details are as per information shared by the broadcaster)

Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Highlights© AFP

India women’s cricket team in action© X (Twitter)